Tuesday, December 18, 2012

I wanted to send out a heartfelt "Thank You," to everybody who continues to read this blog. It's always fun to write, and I look back and see that I started this blog a little over three years ago; which is remarkable and exciting to see that there is always something to write about.

As the year comes to a close, many people are running ragged trying to complete their holiday shopping, end of year goals or simply trying to stay above the fray in their day-to-day lives. It's not always easy, but we can only do our best. This year has been a mix of incredible highs, and significant lows too, but that is life. We can only do our best. With that being said, I hope that everyone out there is able to reach out to those who are important to them, and let them know how much they have brought to their lives. It's easy to let the days, weeks and months slip away without telling people how important they are to you, but I strongly encourage everybody to do just that - reach out and embrace the ones you love. I've been blessed to accomplish a lot this year, and I am optimistic about doing even more in 2013!

Enjoy the remainder of 2012, and look forward to more hotel, restaurant and entertainment postings in 2013.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Ahhhh, Christmas in paradise, well, Puerto Rico, that is! I just got back from a wonderful trip to Puerto Rico. It's one of the best places to mix business with pleasure - I can personally attest to that.

The photo is of a communal Christmas tree that was right off of the beach in the Condado area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. I went for a two hour walk the day after arrival, and passed by the tree. I had to take a photo of the Pepsi Christmas Tree! Yes, the decorations are essentially Pepsi ornaments, so my assumption is that the tree was displayed and sponsored by Pepsi, but then again, you know what they say about assuming anything.

Alright, now, down to business. On this trip, I was scouting properties to hold an event next October, 2013, so I saw some incredible hotels during my visit (St. Regis, Water & Beach Hotel, Intercontinental, The Horned Dorset). I stayed at the Conrad during this trip, which is a property that my business partner likes (although I think that's because she was there during the Latin Music Awards, that was held there a few years ago), but to be honest, it left me feeling a bit...blah. Don't get me wrong, the rooms are comfortable and well appointed. The decor is modern, without being too outlandish, but the service and general vibe left me feeling less than warm and fuzzy. Most of the staff that I encountered appeared to be less than enthusiastic to be there; with the notable exception of our bartender at the Aqua Bar & Grill, and our bartender at the Moon Bar (situated in the lobby area of the hotel). Both of these individuals were engaging and funny; however, the rest of the staff fell flat. Rarely did I see a genuine smile, nor did I feel that they were excited to be working. Even the doormen/valet were a disappointment (especially considering that one of their main competitors down the street has a phenomenal doorman/valet).

The overall property is fairly well maintained and clean, but it seemed to lack any real personality. I think the liveliest place on the property was the casino area, located on the 4th floor; however, it would have been a disappointment if it hadn't been lively because, well, it is a casino! I will say that the food I had was decent. My business partner and I had two meals while we were staying there. One was at Eight Noodle Bar, where we shared some spicy tuna rolls and chicken chow mein, and at the Aqua Bar & Grill, I had a nice chicken sandwich (with fries, but of course), and my business partner had a chicken quesadilla and wings. While not culinary cuisine, all of the food was well prepared and the appropriate temperature when served (I have a problem when food is lukewarm when it's supposed to be hot).

Pros:

Clean

Well appointed rooms

Centrally and conveniently located in the Condado area of San Juan

Close to Old San Juan

Rental car agency on site (Enterprise)

In walking distance of a lot of great restaurants and activities

Cons:

Seemed to lack personality

Staff did their job, but didn't really go above and beyond to provide that WOW factor that I look for in properties

Pools and beach on property were just, ok

Cleaning staff was hit or miss - the first couple of days the room was cleaned very well and all towels and toiletries were well stocked, but the last three days, the room wasn't cleaned as thoroughly, nor were towels and toiletries restocked

Also, when I attempted on several occasions to call the wake-up call number, nobody answered???? Fortunately, I used the alarm in the room, as well as on my phone, because I was there on business and had daily appointments

All in all, the property is a solid 3* property, and despite my lack of "warm and fuzzy" feelings about the general vibe of the property, it is not a bad place to stay; however, I don't think I'll be staying there again anytime soon.

Finally, just a little bit of the sigh...factor:

It really couldn't get anybetter than this! I MISS YOU PUERTO RICO! I'll be back soon!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

What I am about to post is a veritable anomaly in this day and age, but it DID happen to me on my recent connecting flight from Miami - I GOT MY OWN ROW! I will be updating more about my fantastic trip to Puerto Rico, but I just HAD to jump on here and write that, because I was flabbergasted.

I had a window seat, so I know that (typically) just because no one is in the row when I get there; they will be coming. I tucked myself away into my corner and began reading. As I read, I looked up from time to time at the front of the plane. There was a fairly steady stream of passengers that were still milling about and trickling in, so I just continued reading because I knew my luck wouldn't be THAT good; I expected and waited for at least another passenger to join me in my row.

Well, lo and behold, the flight attendants began their spiel and the cabin doors were locked, and guess what? I was in flying heaven! Now, it's not as good as First or Business class, but it is something wonderful. I can say that I haven't had a whole row to myself in well over ten years of traveling. Prior to 9/11, I would fly home from college or fly across the country on a red-eye flight, and I can say that 50% of the time I could have a row to myself, or just shared with one other person; however, in this day and age, that is a rarity, even on a red-eye flight!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

On one of the money blogs I follow, the blogger discussed the freedom that money offers an individual; so it got me thinking about the freedom of having a (current) passport.

Money notwithstanding, when it comes to providing freedom, a passport offers a plethora of options. By having this funny little booklet with blank pages - you can travel the world! I think that's pretty cool.

I obtained my first passport when I was about twelve years old. I was supposed to go to Germany...but, that is a long story, so I won't digress; however, I will say that the whole process of obtaining (my horrible photo), and submitting the application made me feel so incredibly grown up. I think it's a special experience, and without even knowing exactly why, I knew that a whole other world had been opened up to me, and I wasn't wrong.

Traveling to far flung places in order to have my passport stamped is not why I go there, but it is an added bonus. It's a conversation starter, and it's something that you can add to your own "bucket list" of accomplishments. When I meet people and they ask me what I do, and I tell them that I am a travel professional with my own agency; it's amazing to me how many of them will say some of the following, "Wow, that's cool. Is it a good business? Do you get to travel all over the world? I would love to travel the world, but I don't even have a passport." I hear that phrase more than I care to think about. And of course, being in this business, my personal favorite is the individual(s) who want to go on a trip (next week or month) to an international destination, yet, they have no passport. Those are always interesting conversations, especially when you let them know how much a. a passport cost, and b. how much it will cost to be expedited. More often than not, their plans change and they travel a bit closer to home (read: within the United States).

I was fortunate growing up, in that, my parents liked to travel (primarily throughout the United States), and it provided me a chance to see a lot of diverse places while I was young; thus, increasing my thirst for travel as I got older. I guess you could say, I saw all the U.S. had to offer at a young age, so I had to branch out and travel the world! I am glad that I was provided the opportunity to obtain a passport while I was young, because to me, it's as essential as having a drivers' license.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

The next best thing to eating great food is talking about it! So, it is with much excitement that I am sharing with you the launch of my new site: Chasing Women Chefs.

I have created a concept that marries my love for food and travel, while shining the spotlight on women in the culinary industry. Every month in the blog section of Chasing Women Chefs, there will be a featured interview on a woman chef or other woman in the culinary world (bartender, restaurant owner, etc), as well as information on new or most utilized cooking tools in the marketplace, Q&A, and so much more!

Check out the "Events" section, and for those who may be interested in participating in the sponsorship opportunities, there is a "Sponsors" page too!

Friday, November 2, 2012

It's that time of year where there are parties galore! Most employers throw some type of party - whether it's a full scale, blowout event, or a low key potluck, you can be assured there will be a holiday party at your place of employment.

Unfortunately, it also means that (awful) game of "White Elephant," where you get handed off stuff that's been lying around in someones closet for several years. Can you tell that's not my cup'o'tea??? Suffice to say, regardless of the budget, there are great venues where an employer, family or any other group can hold an awesome event:

Restaurants - Not the most inventive idea, but most restaurants can set-up a great spread and keep the food and drinks coming.

The Zoo - In Arizona, they hold a lot of specialty events at their zoo. The lights are fantastic and you can have it catered by whomever you so chose. While this idea doesn't work for the colder climates, unless you want to be covered in snow, it's a delightful idea for those areas of the country where it's feasible to hold an event at the zoo.

Rooftop Decks - Many hotels and restaurants have large rooftop decks that can accommodate groups for dinners and special events. Regardless if it's cold or not, there are tents and heating equipment that can be utilized to keep the guest warm and cozy while they party away.

Street Parties - This may not work for an office/employer event, but it definitely could be something that a neighborhood could kick-off in order to get everyone involved. Street parties are great, because they aren't held at any specific house, so you are able to drift about and get to know the people in your neighborhood. It could be a themed event where each house prepares a different dish, and you go from house to house trying out the different foods. Plus, I like the fact that there is minimal clean up!

Convention Centers - While most companies would likely not hold an event at a convention center, if you have a large enough company, say, like a Microsoft, it's highly probable they could fill a convention center and really turn it into a fantastic affair with wonderful decorations, exotic food, games and more! This wouldn't be a low-key event, and would definitely be a pricey endeavor, but hey, aren't you (as an employee) worth it?

Destination Party - What employee wouldn't want to get a package delivered to their desk saying they are invited to an all-expense paid trip to: Las Vegas, Hawaii, New York, New Orleans, etc, in order to celebrate the companies holiday party - on the boss! Destination parties may not be common practice, but there are some (smaller) organizations that can absorb the costs and feel it's a way to bond with their employees, as well as a little respite away from the day-to-day grind.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I am returning from a relaxing and laid back trip I took to the Southern California region, and I must admit it's been a nice respite to be able to chill out for a few days with my friends and do...nothing. I would be misrepresenting myself if I said I did absolutely nothing, but I can tell you that I did as little as possible.

Relaxation will take on a different look for each person, but it is critical to take that step back in order to maintain some semblance of sanity. I have spoken to a couple of my friends who are completely burned out, and their companies are even advising that they will lose their vacation days if they don't utilize them by the end of the year! This does not perplex me at all, because I worked in many environments and companies where tremendous lip service was given to respecting "work life balance," but to that point, it was just lip service. If anybody took any days off, when they returned they were overwhelmed by the work they had before they left, and additional work that was added to their plate while they were away. That doesn't make an employee feel good about leaving, when they know they will be penalized upon their return, by being inundated by work that was added while they were away.

R&R is an important time for us to be able to clear our minds, and refresh our bodies and spirits. While traveling is by no means the only way to get this much needed down time, it is one of the most beneficial to our psyche. When left to our own devices, we can say we are going to relax while we are at home; yet, the reality is that few of us do. Many people take that opportunity to repaint their homes; redo the siding on their homes, and other tasks that, while important, I wouldn't categorize as "relaxation."

Even though I didn't go away somewhere exotic (no offense to Southern California) and unknown to me; it was the much needed away time I needed to refresh my mind, in order to finish out this year on track to kick into gear for 2013! The removal of my day-to-day activities allowed me the opportunity to sit back and brainstorm some ideas for my business endeavors for next year. Also, being around my friends, I was able to bounce ideas off of people who really "get me" and are supportive in my efforts.

Hopefully your company isn't mandating you to take days off, because I hope you have been refreshing your spirit throughout the year, but if you haven't been able to do that, and your company is threatening to take your time away, please do something good to and for yourself and - Relax & Float.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Anybody who reads this blog probably knows my passion and love for FOOTBALL! Well, what goes better with football than beer? Maybe some hot wings, but I think beer will always be number one.

This weekend marks 31st year of the annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. They have already sold out of their tickets, so needless to say, there will be a lot of beer flowing.

The Great American Beer Festival is the perfect showcase for the newer micro breweries that are coming in to the marketplace. As one entrant acknowledged in an interview, just by sheer virtue of being a part of this event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase his IPA.

It looks like Bavaria, Germany's 16 day festival, Oktoberfest, has some real competition here in the United States.

Bottoms up!*photo used from freedigitalphotos.net and taken by Renjith Krishnan

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Keeping in the same vain of my prior post about "making things right" when they go awry, I'd like to send an internet shout out to Panera Bread. I am not one to sign up for a lot of programs, because I prefer not to add to the high volume of my inbox, and furthermore, I rarely even remember to have the cards available when I frequent an establishment, so it just turns into a colossal waste of time, for them and for me. But, I've recently made an exception for Panera Bread.

I must admit that I have sipped and basked in the kool-aid of Starbucks. I tend to make them my "go to" place to post up and work on my computer, but now, they have gotten a run for their money, because I've been frequenting Panera Bread more often. Don't get me wrong, there are two Starbuck locations I frequent on a regular basis, and the team is just kickbutt! However, it's not the cleanest, they are ALWAYS busy, and the coffee, well, it's fine (since I'm not a coffee connoisseur), but it isn't wonderful.

A few months ago, in the early summer, I had a couple of meetings at various Panera Bread locations. I found that I loved the following about all of the establishments I frequented: the employees seem to actually LIKE their job, (for the most part) they were clean and easy to move around in, the coffee had times on when they were last brewed (which appeared to be pretty frequently), the food I've had has always been great, and it's just a nice place to be.

Well, I had forgotten about those experiences during the summer, and Panera Bread simply drifted back into the recesses of my mind, until recently. I was digging around in the little pockets of my checkbook, and I found the "MyPanera" reward card tucked in there; never having been activated or used. Now mind you, I still didn't activate it, but it was on my mind. Fast forward a few days later, and I read a fabulous story called, "It's more important to be kind than clever!" (http://blogs.hbr.org/taylor/2012/08/its_more_important_to_be_kind.html). I don't know WHAT it is, but I've been reading some great "feel good" stories lately, and this one was added to that list.

So, I decided to venture to a Panera Bread store that is close to my house. I went in, ordered a bagel with cream cheese, and a coffee. Well, the young lady helping me was quick, nice, funny and gracious. As I was standing there, another lady, a bit older, came behind the counter and began offering some breakfast items for free. She indicated that they were going to be "tossed" so they were giving them away. I politely declined, since I'd already placed an order, to which she said I was more than welcome to take it with me. I did let her know that was nice, but that I didn't need to be a piggy, and someone else could benefit from the free offer, but I thanked her profusely for the generous offer.

That just ROCKS to me. It was the early afternoon, they didn't have to give anything away, yet, they were offering items that may go to waste, gratis, to their customers. I don't know about you, but I like that concept, and it makes me want to support their company more now than ever.

The whole experience brought to mind a quote I read some time ago, but I keep it on my desktop as a day-to-day reminder, "People may not remember exactly what you did or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel." Tony Hsieh - Zappos CEO.

Monday, September 24, 2012

I have worked in customer service types of organizations for my entire working career. Whether it has been: retail positions, insurance positions, managerial positions, or now, owning my own Travel Agency, I've ALWAYSworked for customer-centric organizations. With that being said, I am fully aware of both sides of the "customer is always right."

Sometimes you simply can not give people what they want; however, if there is anything that is reasonably within your power to right a bad situation, then I think you should do it. People want to hear SOLUTIONS not, "NO." Plain and simple. Once you've offered solutions and options, then it is up to the individual to make the best decision for themselves, based off the offered solutions.

This brings me to a disturbing story that one of my travel colleagues has been working through now for well over a month. The short story, her clients were at an all-inclusive resort (I will not state the name; however, they are on my "do not sell list"). While the couple was there, they placed some cash in their hotel safe (this is already starting off bad. If you have cash - keep it ON YOU). The next to last day before they were to depart, they left their room to enjoy their day, and upon their return, they found their safe open and their cash was gone.

Here is where things get ugly. They reported the theft to the hotel front desk, and then it was escalated to the MOD (manager on duty), and subsequently others were brought into the fray. The final solution: They did nothing. They failed to make the situation right.

I am not implying that the property should have necessarily reimbursed them their money, because it truly is a "word vs word" situation; however, every step the resort took, was to cover their own ...um, behinds; while leaving these people stranded, literally, with no money or other resources. And, to make matters worse, the couple felt as if they were the criminals. They were offered no compensation, and they were essentially left to fend for themselves (fortunately, they were offered assistance by a kind tour operator who took them to the police station to file a report).

The resort failed in multiple ways:

They failed to make the couple feel heard.

The couple felt as if they were the guilty party.

The resort offered no assistance in helping them get to the police station to file a report, nor did they conduct an in-house investigation of their staff (the couple felt that it was an inside job).

The couple felt that the resort was trying to sweep the incident under the rug (the couple alleges that the manager directed them NOT to discuss the theft in the lobby area in front of the other guests).

The couple placed a lengthy status on TripAdvisor about this property (and interestingly enough, there were others who reported theft of money, and other items from this property). The resort responded to the TripAdvisor report and, again, failed to "right" the situation. Their sole purpose was to show they did nothing wrong, and to save face.

This is just a snippet of what transpired, but where I believe the resort failed was their defensive responses. If they had listened, truly listened to the couple, and then made them feel heard and conducted their own internal investigation, as well as offering some sort of compensation (even if it was not the full amount of the stolen money), I believe that, while the couple wouldn't have been thrilled, they would not have been left with such a sour taste in their mouths. As it stands, this story has gone "viral" within the travel professional community, and many travel professionals have decided they will no longer sell, nor recommend this property, simply based on the mishandling of this couples situation.

Theft from a property is nothing new, and it doesn't matter if it is a luxury property, or a 1-star budget hotel on the side of the highway; however, it is the way that situations are handled when something goes awry, that sets the stellar businesses ahead of their competition. Unfortunately, this resort failed in every step of the way.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Planning a vacation can be a fun, but challenging experience. Many of my clients come to me because they have researched their travels, but are stymied by the overwhelming amount of information that is readily accessible on the Internet. Once they have made a decision, oftentimes they will go to review sites like TripAdvisor, in order to obtain additional information on their hotel selections, and get what they think are unbiased reviews. But are the reviews really so unbiased?

A report was done recently (I believe it was on NPR), where a lot of smaller more boutique type property owners were concerned and upset by the reviews their properties were receiving on such social review sites (and larger hotels are concerned too). Some of them (purportedly) accused their competition of placing derogatory reviews online in an effort to deter consumers from staying at their properties. They felt that many of the reviews were written by their competitors' employees, or even by the proprietors themselves. While they have no hard and fast evidence of this, they sited that quite often very few, if any of the reviews that they read were a true reflection of their property, and further, no one had ever made any of the allegations to them that they were reading online. Obviously, these property owners are upset and outraged by what they feel are unfair and inaccurate depictions of their properties, but what can they do now once it is out on the world wide web?

The statistics that have been bandied about regarding these types of online review sites is that over 50% of travelers review these sites prior to making their final selections, and that if there are an overwhelming amount of negative reviews, they will not book that property. I tend not to frequent a lot of sites like this because there are so many disparate opinions on what each individual considers a "good" or "bad" property. What I've found in general, is that there are simply some people who can never be satisfied, and others, who are generally laid back and are much easier to please. Obviously there are circumstances where consumers receive sub par service, and they are right to lodge a complaint with the property. Also, there are varying individual opinions as to what is a: luxury, budget, or mid-level property; consequentially, if one person is staying at a property they deem as luxury, but in actuality it's more of a mid-level property, their expectations will be skewed by their own perception of what level of service they should experience.

In all fairness, there are some entry level expectations that all consumers have regarding a property. Cleanliness, no bugs, courteous customer service, and availability of their room upon check in, which are all reasonable expectations, but from there the lines can be blurred. I liken it to the comparison of cars. A person who purchases a 4-cylinder vehicle should not expect the same power as a German built, V-8 engine vehicle. It's not realistic, and as the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." I would not have the same expectations of a Holiday Inn Express that I would of a Four Seasons Property. That's just the reality of it.

As a blogger, when we review products and services for pay, we are required to advise on our site, or within the review that we have received some sort of compensation for that review. This will allow the consumer to be fully aware that the review could potentially be biased towards the product and/or service. I have not reviewed any products or services yet for any compensation, but I would like to think that I would provide a fair and accurate assessment if I did, because the consumer deserves to be told the truth - or at least the truth according to what I thought of that product or service at the time of my review.

Given the rise of information being stored for all eternity on the web, there are companies that are popping up to assist companies and individuals in protecting their online reputation. One such company is called reputation.com (formerly Reputation Defender). Do I think online review sites are inherently bad? No, because I review hotels, restaurants and the like too, but if there are no checks and balances to even attempt to ensure the information is valid, then the information could potentially be deemed as untrustworthy and unreliable.

*photo used courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and taken by jscreationzs

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

What a fun and fantastic place! The aptly named, Euclid Hall,
feels like a high-end hangout where college students would feel right at
home; so it didn't go unnoticed to me that Euclid Hall is in one of the
trendier areas of downtown Denver, but its entrance faces South on
14th street, which is the direction that most of the college campuses in
that area are located.

A fairly short staircase
invites you into the main floor of Euclid Hall's well utilized two
stories. As you are coming up the steps you will see a giant chalkboard
with varying information written on it, like the "glossary of terms,"
serving as a description of some of their fare, such as Schnitzel and Poutine.
Happy Hour drink prices are also listed on the chalk board under the
name: Study Hall, as well as the name of a few of their beers. The
kitchen is an open concept, so you can see the chefs preparing the food.
There is a bar to your immediate right, and they have a lusty selection
of beers available, so there will be no dry mouths at your table,
should you decide to partake of a frosty mug of goodness.

I met a friend there who doesn't live in Denver. I told him that I had been wanting to try, yet another, of Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch's delectable restaurants (side note: they also own Rioja and Bistro Vendôme),
so I recommended Euclid Hall. He checked out the link to the menu and
gushed that he would, "have to try all the desserts on the menu!"

At
first blush, for the non-adventurous sort, there may be an immediate
thought that the food is a bit, well, interesting. Yes...yes, it is. But
interesting in the best sense of the word, and not akin to when someone
brings a jello mold filled with tidbits of 'goodness only knows what'
floating about in it. I promise you that there is something for
everyone. And even though the menu is fairly straightforward, and not
excessively long, I was overwhelmed by choices. I changed my mind at
least three times before the waiter came back to take our order!

I finally landed on the House-Made Kennebec Fries served with a Bacon Aioli dipping sauce.There were just enough crispy bacon bits to not overwhelm the dipping sauce, and the consistency of the sauce was smooth and thick enough to stand up to their perfectly executed french fries (I am a self professed french fry connoisseur), without being too thick. The flavor was slightly sweet, with a hint of smokiness brought on by the bacon.

The Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich was served on a toasted dill rye bread, with large pieces of relatively thin, sliced and battered chicken, which was comfortably tucked away on a bed of shredded, apple cabbage caraway slaw. The slaw was not dragged down by any typical gloppiness that some slaws can have. It was clean and crisp, with an immaculate blending of the flavors that only served to enhance the chicken flavor; especially since I thought the chicken batter could have used just a touch more salt; however, when I ate the rest of my sandwich the next day, the bread held up extremely well and wasn't soggy, and the chicken and slaw mixture marinated in such a way that it actually tasted better than the first day. Go figure!

My friend dug into his Brat Burger that was served on a "bretzel bun," which was essentially a pretzel bun. The top of the bun gleamed beautifully as if brushed with a hint of butter to make it glisten even more. The melted Jarlsberg cheese spilled out from the sides of the burger, as he ate it with great relish. Needless to say, he was extremely happy with his selection.

Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich

Finally, while I am not really a dessert person (although, most everyone I am associated with is), I did have a taste of my friends dessert. It was a difficult decision for him, but he finally landed on their Sourdough Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich. Yes, you read that correctly, a waffle ice cream sandwich! It was just enough; not too small, and not too big, but just right. It was served in a wrapped paper for presentation purposes, and then slid out onto the plate to dig into. The ice cream was a salted butterscotch ice cream with pralines. This had to be one of the funnest desserts I've ever tasted. The smooth and salty butterscotch ice cream with the pralines was a splendid partner for the slightly sweetened waffles. This isn't a rich dessert, but a satisfying one.

Euclid Hall has the type of food that you'd imagine enjoying while traveling throughout Europe; specifically in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany - beers, brats and fries! Although, there is definitely a French influence on the menu with multiple dishes served with duck eggs and foie gras. I enjoyed every bite of my meal, and look forward to going back soon!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Brown Palace Hotel has been a permanent fixture in downtown Denver since August 12, 1892; well over 120 years ago! Think about that, 120 years! While the times have changed significantly since 1892, the luxuriousness and steadfast determination to continue to retain its relevancy throughout these changing times has kept the Brown Palace Hotel on the top of many, "luxury property" lists.

Oftentimes when I go into properties that have the older, elegant charm, I feel like they are outdated and need a "face lift," but I don't quite feel this way about the Brown Palace Hotel. Part of its charm is the fact that it is so old, and has maintained itself so well. I'm sure there have been updates throughout the years, but whenever I've been there, I've felt like a part of history, and that I should be twirling a parasol. I was attending an event there recently, so it was great to hang out for awhile before the event started; especially since the last time I had been there was seven years ago when I took my mom to High Tea.

Roaming around the Brown Palace Hotel is fun. It's elegant, but unpretentious, and they have some of the most beautiful chandeliers on their property. Yes, I am somewhat enamored with chandeliers and snap

photos of them constantly whenever I am at a property that has them. There is a sense of intimacy throughout the Brown Palace Hotel, and what I appreciate the most are the seating areas dispersed throughout the property, so you can sit down and relax.There are several ballrooms on the property, and I can only imagine how
grand they must be when hosting an event that is worthy to actually
utilize a ballroom for its intended purpose; versus just a conference.

Also, there is the Tavern where you can grab a bite to eat; the center lobby area which hosts High Tea, and the Palace Arms is where the cigar smokers can revel in their own space, and enjoy their favorite smoke with a side of Brandy, Whiskey, Scotch, or whatever libation floats their boat.

Lest not forget the spa. Ahhhh, spa. It makes me feel relaxed just saying the word. They have a plethora of pleasing, and relaxing spa options to chose from, and I have no doubt that the spa is just as luxurious as the rest of this divine property.

The young lady who was working in the spa store allowed me to wander around their store and snap pictures at my leisure. There is a large selection of spa and beauty products to chose from, so anybody would be hard-pressed to say they couldn't find a product that suited their individual needs. There are splendid and decadent spa packages that are offered, as well as à la carte options too. I scooped up one of their brochures and made a promise to myself to get back there before the end of the year - one of their spa packages has my name written on it!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

It is with much delight and happiness that I recently found out that a relatively new wine bar has opened up in France called, Ô Chateau. I had the opportunity to be hosted at Olivier's flat (one of the owners of Ô Chateau), for wine classes he held. He did the regions of France's wine country a great service, as I tasted wines that I never would have had the opportunity to taste before, and the Champagne he selected for our tastings were out of this world.

What I appreciated most about Olivier, was his supreme knowledge of the varied wine regions in France, but more importantly, he enjoyed what he was doing. While he took the presentation of the wine seriously, he did not take himself too seriously. His quick wit, and off the cuff comments made me laugh out loud, and provided me one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had in Paris.So yes, the wine was the main focal point, but Olivier was definitely the man of the hour!

I haven't had the opportunity to visit Ô Chateau since it's opening, but now that I know about it, I will be making a beeline just as soon as I can plan my next adventure to Paris.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

I've never understood why people feel guilty when they go on vacation. It is a much deserved treat that people oftentimes deny for themselves because they feel they can't afford it; they have other responsibilities, or they feel that if they leave everything will go to shambles.

Every month there are countless magazines and blog postings extolling the virtues of travel as a means to destress. Travel does not necessarily mean somewhere far away, sometimes the best trips can literally be found right in your backyard (i.e. camping in your backyard, or "staycations" at a nice hotel in your city).

I have begun reading a book I picked up a few days ago titled, A Calm Brain: Unlocking Your Natural Relaxation System, by Gayatri Devi, M.D. The book is about relaxation techniques, but one part in particular really stuck out to me. The author discusses how she was eavesdropping on a conversation while she was being heldcaptive, stuck at Brussels airport awaiting her flight departure. During this time, she overheard two gentlemen talking, and in their exchange, the older of the two gentlemen advised the younger gentleman (as they traded each others contact information), that he would be unreachable for a month, as he cuts off all contact while traveling. The older gentleman went on further to say that while it wasn't easy at first, he had to teach people (his coworkers and assistant) that, "People can manage without you...Everyone is dispensable."

The exchange between the two gentlemen was a wonderful commentary on our society, because the older gentleman admitted (paraphrasing) that while he may not be as successful in the corporate world as others, he felt, "healthy," and "at peace."

I haven't completed the book yet, but that section resonated with me, because even the author admitted that when she first heard the older gentleman explaining how he goes away and cuts himself off from society, that her first thought was that she, "felt sorry for the people he works with," but as she thought about it more, she realized that maybe there was something to that complete disconnection.

Fortunately, I do not suffer from that affliction that most people have of feeling that they are indispensable and are constantly needed. However, even I must admit that I feel a bit lost when I am without my BlackBerry's...at least initially, but after about twenty-four hours at my destination, I appreciate not having any disturbances and constant ringings and bingings of phone calls and alerts.

Perhaps you may not feel comfortable completely disconnecting while on vacation, but maybe you can take small steps and limit the amount of time you spend checking your emails and listening to voice mail messages. I think your mind, body and spirit will thank you for it.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

For those lucky enough to be in London to celebrate the Olympics and all its incredible festivities - KUDOS to you! The city is alive with the sheer electricity of the event, but even on its own merits, London is one of the most visited cities in the world!

If you are in London or thinking about visiting London in the future, here are a few restaurants that have tantalized taste buds of visitors from around the world:

Hereford Road (/www.herefordroad.org/) is open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant boasts itself as "bringing whole-hearted, robust, simple British cooking ... using the great wealth of our national produce." Located on, where else, but 3 Hereford Road, Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4AB.

Located in the popular Piccadilly area of London, The Wolsely (/www.thewolseley.com/) serves up delectable European fare throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have daily High Tea that should not be missed.

If you are looking for an elegant and perfectly executed High Tea experience, make a reservation for High Tea at the incomparable Savoy (www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/savoytea/). Situated in the Upper Thames Foyer; this newly renovated (multi-million dollar Fairmont property) has hosted some of the biggest names and talents in the world. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ambiance of the luxurious Savoy Tea.

London hasn't always been known for its culinary fare; however, over the past ten to twenty years, the landscape of the chefs coming up through the ranks and opening up restaurants in London (Chef Gordon Ramsey, to name one of the most popular), has significantly raised the bar for those foodie finders out there.

Regardless if you are able to stop into one of these Gold Medal establishments or not; just make sure to grab a pint (or two) at a local pub and partake of some Bangers & Mash or Fish & Chips!

Friday, July 20, 2012

(Long Sigh)...So, you return back home from trekking across the Himalayas; dining in Aruba; surfing in Hawaii, or wherever your travels have taken you, but now, it's back to the real world. Don't fret! There is a bit of a letdown feeling once your travels are completed, but it also feels good to be back home too.

My recommendation to beat the "just returned from vacation blues," is to start planning another trip! While most of us can ill afford to take back to back vacations, it is fun to go through all of your new photos and treasures you picked up on your recent trip, and then start planning another fabulous vacation! As my business partner always says, "I need something to look forward to." I get it.

Upon your return you should:

Share your photos (maybe not all of your photos), with your friends and family. You can FaceBook, Pinterest, and any other forms of sharing that you may utilize.

If you have a desk at work or a home office, place a couple of your most recent photos up at your desk, but also put up a couple of photos of destinations you would like to explore in the future. This way, you can gaze at your past experiences, and relish in anticipation for your next trip.

Perhaps you experienced top level service at the resort or hotel where you stayed. Send an email or write a nice card to the property letting them know that your expectations were exceeded, and if there were any particular staff members that are memorable - call out their names. Hey, everybody likes to be appreciated, and it will make them feel good that they helped to enhance your vacation experience.

Conversely, if you had a sub par experience, you should let them know too. That doesn't mean you have to get on TripAdvisor and blast the property, but a polite letter to the MOD (Manager on Duty) or GM (General Manager) is always appreciated. They need to know what they are doing well, and where they have areas of opportunity.

Finally, take some time to decompress and recall your experiences. Vacations don't come everyday, so extend that feel good mood for as long as you can!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Whenever I hear or read stories like this, they really touch my heart. Seriously. While I don't wear my emotions on my sleeve, I do enjoy a "feel good story," and I also try to be the "pay it forward" type of person too, so this story was too compelling for me not to mention. Also, since it has to do with food...well, it goes without saying, I was ALL over it!

The family has a website up where they are taking donations, and they plan on continuing this theme for as long as they continue to receive donations. They said that every time they accrue $500 on the site, they will go and brighten another waiter or waitresses day. Big high fives to them! So, this is my feel good Friday post! Hopefully you all will go out and do something to make yourself and someone else feel good too! Bon Appétit!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Can you believe this year is half way over? As I celebrated the 4th of July holiday it struck me that this year is at the midway point, and I still have SO much to accomplish.

I got
to thinking about truck drivers. They cover a lot of territory over a
few days, and they tend to see it all. Hailstorms, fires, floods, snow
storms and the like, but yet, they keep trucking right along. When I
used to drive from Colorado to California (and back) during my college
years, I enjoyed sharing the highways with these road warriors, because they knew how to keep moving, even during the worst situations.

A large portion of our country has been immersed in a serious heat wave. Power has been out for a large portion of those in the Northeast region, and fires have taken hold of Colorado and several other bordering states like Wyoming and New Mexico. I don't know about you all, but if there ever was a time to take a vacation, it would be now. Wherever your travels may take you during these summer months, enjoy them and keep on trucking!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Finally...you are relaxing on your perfect vacation! This is the time for you to sit back so you can eat, drink and be merry. Take in the sights and sounds around you without feeling pressured to be anywhere.
The beauty of vacations is that your itinerary can change at anytime; especially when you are traveling solo. If you wake up one day and decide you'd rather wander around neighbors, versus going to the museum - you can do that!

Sip a nice glass of wine while sitting at a quaint cafe, while doing some interesting people watching. Chat with the locals in order to hear about their lives, and the culture you are visiting during your vacation. Soak it all in, because these are the stories you will be telling your friends and family about when you return from your travels.

Being on vacation is a time to refresh your mind, body and spirit. There shouldn't be anything rushed about it, unless you are on an adventure seeking trip, and in that case, the whole trip will likely be a rush! Jumping out of planes; bungee jumping; mountain climbing - whatever your adventures may entail.

Wherever your travels may take you this year, make sure you revel in the pure luxury of just being allowed the time away, because real life will be there when you return.

*photo of food tray taken by Grant Cochran and provided by www.freedigitalphotos.net; photo of red wine by chawalitpix and provided by www.freedigitalphotos.net

Friday, June 15, 2012

I'm calling this a preview because I haven't actually taken the tour yet; however, I was cruising through Culinary Connectors site to find a tour for some clients that will be staying in Aspen for a vacation, and in my perusing their site, I saw the Craft Beer Tour...very cool! I've heard wonderful things about Culinary Connectors, so I figured that it would be an opportune time to try out some of their tours, and to have some fun downtown. It's baseball season, so I can't imagine a more appropriate tour to take right now; especially if it happens to be a day that the Colorado Rockies are playing!

Culinary Connectors operates in Denver, Boulder and Aspen, Colorado, so they provide a variety of restaurants to accommodate many palettes. I will write a review once I've actually taken the tour, but until then, check out their website to see some of the wonderful tours that they offer. Looking at their website makes my mouth water...

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Arrival to your destination is filled with a strange feeling of euphoria. You are excited to be there, yet, you can sometimes feel a bit of discomfort by being in unfamiliar territory; especially if you are traveling to a destination where there is a language barrier.

There are quite a few things that are important to navigate once you arrive into your final destination, and this segment will discuss a few of those items to make your arrival as stress free as possible.

Prior to disembarking from whatever mode of transportation you've utilized (plane, train, automobile), make certain that you check the area you were sitting in, to ensure you haven't forgotten anything. There is nothing worse than to lose items while traveling.

Keep all important documents close to your body. There are quite a few carrying cases/pouches that are sold whereby you can attach the case/pouch to your waist, or other parts of your body. Incidentally, avoid placing all of your money in the same place (if traveling with money). Keep some money in separate places throughout your luggage and on your body.

Maintain control of your luggage at all time. If you have checked luggage, it is best to go to the restroom prior to picking up luggage from baggage claim, that way you won't have to shuttle all of your luggage into the restroom with you.

If you have rented a car, make sure that you place your luggage into the car yourself; be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are traveling alone and/or arrive late at night.

If you are using shuttle service or private transportation, maintain control of your luggage as long as possible, and keep your eye on exactly where your luggage was placed. This isn't paranoia, it's being practical, because so many people have similar luggage that it's easy to get your luggage confused with others...which leads to the next tip.

Have some highly identifiable luggage tag on your luggage, so that it is easy to spot. There are a lot of people who purchase brightly colored luggage tags, and even unique luggage itself so as not to be easily confused with others luggage.

Once you have arrived at your hotel (assuming you are staying at a hotel), make sure to take several of the hotels business cards to have with you, just in case you get lost. It's easier to provide a taxi driver with the business card for the exact location of your hotel, or to obtain directions if you have the business cards.

If you unpack your belongings on trips (I typically don't, I like my luggage to remain packed so that if anything goes awry, it's easy to scoop up and get out - just my thing), make sure to peruse the room first. Check the bathrooms, under the beds, etc, to make sure things are clean and that the other occupants haven't left anything that house cleaning may not have found.

I discourage traveling with valuables; especially to certain destinations, but if you do, make certain that if you utilize the in-room safes, that you check it out prior to placing your belongings in the safe.

While vacations are supposed to be fun experiences, the reality is that there are unscrupulous people out there that would love nothing more than to separate you from your belongings. I had a purse stolen on a vacation in the Bahamas several years ago, and it made me become even more vigilant in making sure that I am always aware of my surroundings at all times. It had a fairly good out come, as I did obtain my purse back, along with most of its contents, except for my cell phone and about $200 cash. It was a valuable lesson for me, but I learned that it's my responsibility to ensure the safety of me and my personal belongings (friends were supposed to be watching our belongings as some of us danced - clearly that didn't work out too well).

Monday, May 28, 2012

Full fledged travel season is upon us, as the airports and roads fill
with harried travelers' beginning their mass exodus to places known and
unknown. Sometimes it is hard to decide what to pack when going on vacation, but with the help ofSense Clothing, you can travel in comfort, and arrive in style. Recently we, at Chicks That Trip, were interviewed by the talented and energetic Brittany Cupp, Sales & Marketing Associate of Sense Clothing. You can see the interview here on Sense Clothing's Facebook page.

I am a strong advocate for the "less is more" style of travel, and I believe it's not necessary to take every item you own, when in actuality, you a. won't be able to wear everything you take, and b. you have to carry all of that unnecessary luggage (imagine schlepping several bags onto a train in Italy - not a fun experience. Or worse, paying horrendous fees in luggage weight). Having the ability to mix and match clothing, as well as having clothing that unpacks with ease are a few of the things I look for in travel clothing, and Sense Clothing hits that bulls eye every time.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

It is rarely dark and dreary in
Denver, Colorado, but on this particular late afternoon, the clouds are
menacing and angry. The light rain has been trickling off and on for several
hours throughout the day, and there appears to be no end in sight. Parking is
always a tricky and expensive proposition in any downtown city, and Denver is
no exception. I am fortunate to find an evening lot that will only fleece me
$5.00 for the remainder of the evening – not bad. As I meander up the
street towards my ultimate destination, Hotel Teatro, I close my umbrella and
allow the light raindrops to brush my cheeks. It is a refreshing feeling and
makes me feel like a child.

Picture of Tramway Building being built

Hotel Teatro is housed in a historic
building in downtown Denver. It was originally constructed in 1911 as the
Denver Tramway building, and has seen a fair amount of renovations, updates and
changes throughout the years. Mere steps away are the Denver Center for
Performing Arts, the 16th Street Mall, and Larimer Square. Hotel
Teatro is blessed to be in close proximity to the downtown city life, but
tucked away enough to revel it its own intimate privacy. Prior to my
visit, I was in contact with their PR representative, BrieAnn Fast of B Public
Relations, and the General Manager of Hotel Teatro, Jim Turner, in order to
ensure it would be acceptable for me to take some photographs of their property
– I was graciously given the “green light” to forge ahead.

Bar area inside Hotel Teatro

I entered the property on the side
entrance, since their main entryway was under renovations. The doorway leads immediately into their bar area. The space is cozy and
accommodates more than a dozen tables, as well as the seats at the bar. I made
my way through the bar into the mini waiting area off of the lobby check-in
station. Each of the walls are covered with varying art work from performances,
including large, framed pieces of clothing from plays that have taken place at
the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Several comfortable seating areas
are located in the waiting area, one of which faces an alluring fireplace.

Deluxe Corner King Room

While awaiting my mini tour to be
given by Ms. Fast, I decided to sit and do a bit of people watching. During my
visit, the hotel was completely filled to capacity, and given there is a major
hotelier directly across the street from this location, it bodes well for Hotel
Teatro that they are still able to fill rooms. The age group that tends to be
at this congenial boutique hotel seems to rest in the late thirties to early
forties range. Granted, there were other age groups representing their
clientele, but the individuals I saw checking in and out tended to be in the
aforementioned age group.

Both Mr. Turner and Ms. Fast arrived
at about the same time and I introduced myself to them both, and thanked them
for being so hospitable and allowing me to “poke” around the hotel. During our
brief exchange, I asked them both if they had seen any changes in their
occupancy since the large, luxury brand hotel recently located directly across
the street. Both Mr. Turner and Ms. Fast conveyed that Hotel Teatro guests tend
to come because of the general ambiance of the hotel; the art located
throughout the property; and the more personal experience that oftentimes can
only be accomplished at a smaller, boutique property. I have stayed at the
Hotel Teatro before, and I tend to agree with them.

Dress worn by Annette Bening

My brief tour began in the basement,
where several wall mounted shelves showcased numerous masks and head pieces from various plays. Also on display
were a variety of costumes that were worn by popular performers, like Annette
Bening, in Anton Chekhov’s, The Cherry Orchard. The entire property
boasts black, white and gray swirled marble staircases and walls; elegant crown
molding; and impressive light fixtures and framed prints. There is an
upstairs eating area, as well as cozy meeting rooms. Although Hotel Teatro is
not big on grandiose spaces, there are more than enough intimate and tucked
away spots that can accommodate individuals or small groups of people. Hotel Teatro has everything one
would need to take a brief respite from the hectic day to day life.

Seating off main lobby area

There is valet parking
available at check-in, and one of the top voted Denver restaurants, Kevin
Taylor, is located on the premises. This is the sort of place you can sneak
away to and never have to leave the property, or you can wander aimlessly down
the streets, stopping in at varying martini lounges, restaurants and shopping;
all within a short distance from the hotel. The use of theater as art is
seamlessly woven into the very texture of the property, thus creating the
feeling that Hotel Teatro is not simply a place to stay, but is also a stage
for all of those who inhabit the premises.

*photos taken by That Chick Té; photo of Deluxe King Corner Room Courtesy of Hotel Teatro

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

This is where the vacation begins! I only have a few tidbits for this portion, as it's pretty much the easiest part, but is also the most important:

Place all of your luggage out by your front door the night before, with your passport and airline tickets/etickets right on top of your luggage. This way, you know you have them, as they will be the last things you shovel into your purse/backpack/briefcase/coat pocket.

Get a good nights sleep.

Arrive early to the airport. I know it's a pain, but you will save yourself aggravation if you arrive early to the airport, because you never know how the queues will be for security, etc.

Make sure you have some cash in the currency where you are traveling too, because ATM's at foreign airports sometimes run out of cash! Check with AAA or your financial institution before you travel, as they typically will have all currencies available, or can order the money for you. I recommend having about $100 in the currency where you are traveling. Most times, that is plenty, unless you are going to a small, remote part of the world, then I may recommend taking a bit more. And while you are at it, let your bank and/or credit card company know you are traveling (especially if you are going abroad), so you will ensure smooth transactions while you are away, with no holds or seizure of your card(s).

Drink plenty of water, but not too much where you are running to the rest room.

If you are on a diet, or not wanting to eat the airport food, make sure to pack some light snacks: fruit/dried fruit, nuts, and snack bars are great and very transportable. I always have some of these items while I'm traveling.

Bring reading materials, ipod, and anything else that will make the flight more comfortable for you. I know many individuals who take their gel eye covers, travel pillow, blanket and slippers in a small pouch, so they can decompress and rest; especially on longer/overnight flights. And a good face moisturizer never hurts since it's so dry on airplanes.